Fishway Block

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fishway block, capable of allowing even fish having poor swimming ability to easily migrate upstream and downstream by reducing the speed of water flow. The fishway block comprises a bottom panel ( 13 ), sidewall panels ( 14   a   , 14   b ) installed at respective sides of the bottom panel ( 13 ), and a plurality of dividing panels ( 15   a   , 15   b   , 15   c ) installed to cross the bottom panel ( 13 ) between the sidewall panels ( 14   a   , 14   b ), the dividing panels ( 15   a   , 15   b   , 15   c ) having respective water-passing holes ( 16   a   , 16   b   , 16   c ), through which fish can pass, in which locations of the water-passing holes (16 a   , 16   b   , 16   c ) having different heights, so that the trail of the locations form a zigzag pattern, and the size of the water-passing hole formed near a lower end portion of the dividing panel is smaller than the size of the water-passing hole formed near an upper end portion of the dividing panel. The fishway block further includes a fishway size control mechanism for adjusting the size of a fishway and a water level control mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fishway block. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a fishway block installed in a dam, a bankor a reservoir in order to slow down the speed of water flow and allowfish to easily migrate upstream or downstream by swimming over, aroundor through dams, waterfalls, culverts and other obstructions.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a fishway is required to be installed on a crossing structuresuch as a dam or a crossbar structured to cross a river, a brook, astream or other watercourses. According to the Fisheries ResourcesProtection Decree in Korea, a fishway is required to be installed inorder to conserve ecosystems and allow fish to migrate when a crossingstructure that crosses a river or a stream is constructed, referring tothe Enforcement Decree of the Inland Fishery Act which relates to theprohibition of fishway blocking.

Conventional fishways installed under the Fisheries Resources ProtectionDecree are just a simple structure that is installed in a dam or acrossbar to allow water to flow downstream through the dam or thecrossbar.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The conventional fishways are a simple structure that allows water toflow downstream from the upper stream to the lower stream of a riverthrough a blocking structure such as a dam or a crossbar. Accordingly,there is the probability that fish can not migrate upstream along theconventional fishway when the difference in water levels is too large orthe speed of water flow is too high despite the difference in waterlevels being small.

Accordingly, a fish inhabitation site such as a fish spawning pool canbe installed in a dam, instead of a fishway. However, the water levelcan be abruptly increased and can exceed safety levels during the rainyseason, so that several tens of thousands of tons of water can bedischarged from a dam, resulting in damage to the fishery inhabitationsite. In conclusion, the conventional fishways are not effective due torelated technical obstacles.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a fishway block having thefollowing features.

First, the fishway block includes one or more dividing panels crossing ariver and having respective water-passing holes, the water-passing holesof the dividing panels being submerged in water, so that the speed ofwater flow in a fishway is reduced. As a result, even fish having poorswimming ability are able to easily migrate downstream and upstreamthanks to the fishway block.

Second, the fishway block comprises a bottom panel, sidewall panels anddividing panels which are separately prepared because they are heavy, sothat the fishway block can be easily assembled, disassembled and carriedin the state of being disassembled.

Third, the fishway block is able to slow down water flow and reduce theamount of water flowing through fishways because the locations and sizesof the water-passing holes in the dividing panels are varied. Further,the fishway block can reduce loss of reservoir water from the storedwater.

Fourth, the fishway block includes a fishway size control mechanism foradjusting the size of a fishway, i.e. the size of the waterpassing-hole, in the dividing panel, through which fish migratedownstream and upstream, and a water level control mechanism foradjusting the level of water stored in compartments formed between therespective adjacent dividing panels, thereby being capable ofmaintaining the level of water stored in the compartments between therespective adjacent dividing panels even though a small amount of wateris introduced into the compartments by adjusting the sizes of thewater-passing holes of the respective dividing panels and adjusting thelevels of water stored in the compartments. Accordingly, the fishwayblock is able to actively accommodate environmental changes such as thespeed of water flow in the river, and keeps a fishway always open evenif the amount of water flowing into the fishway block is small.

Fifth, the fishway block further includes a water flow speed reductionmember disposed in front of the foremost dividing panel or betweenadjacent dividing panels, in order to primarily slow down the speed ofwater flowing into the fishway block, thereby being capable of allowingeven fish having poor swimming ability to easily pass.

Sixth, the fishway block includes a heater on surfaces of the sidewallpanels, the dividing panel, and the water flow speed reduction member toprevent water from freezing in a fishway during the winter or in frigidareas, thereby preventing rupture of the fishway block.

Advantageous Effects

As is apparent from the above descriptions, the fishway block accordingto the present invention has the following advantages.

First, the locations of water-passing holes in adjacent dividing panelsare varied, that is, the heights of the locations of the water-passingholes have a zigzag arrangement. Further, a water flow speed reductionmember is provided in front of the foremost dividing panel and betweendividing panels. Thanks to these structures, the speed of water flow isremarkably lowered because water flows after the water has beentemporarily stored in the compartment between the adjacent dividingpanels, so that even fish having poor swimming ability can migrateupstream and downstream.

Second, when water overflows along the upper end of a dividing panelhaving a water-passing hole formed near the lower end of the dividingpanel, the water stored in the downstream side compartment falls by aninterval, thereby generating air bubbles. As a result, sufficient oxygenis provided to the creatures in water and an environment in whichmicroorganisms can live is established.

Third, since the dividing panels and the sidewall panels have respectivepulling-rings, it is easy to install the fishway block. Further,adjacent fishway blocks are securely coupled by bolts, so that thefishway blocks can be easily installed and securely fixed on aninstallation surface.

Fourth, in the case where the sidewall panels and the dividing panelsare separately prepared and then assembled, the fishway blocks areeasily loaded and unloaded from a transportation truck, and can beeffectively transported. Further, because partial replacement ispossible, maintenance of the fishway block is easy.

The primarily feature of the fishway block according to the presentinvention is to maintain the speed of water flow constant and slow inorder to allow fish having poor swimming ability to migrate upstream anddownstream.

Further, since the fishway block has a heater covering selected portionsof the sidewall panels, the dividing panels and the water flow speedreduction members, freezing rupture of the fishway block, which iscaused by water freezing in cold weather or in frigid regions, isprevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a fishway block according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the fishway block shown inFIG. 1, wherein two fishway blocks are coupled to each other in order tolengthen a passage for a fishway;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the fishway blocks shown inFIG. 2, in which sidewall panes are cut away from the fishway blocks;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the fishway block, takenalong the line passing through the center of a water-passing hole;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the fishway block in the stateof being installed on a crossbar;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the fishway block in the state of beinglifted by a crane;

FIGS. 7 to 9 are views illustrating fishway blocks according to otherembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views illustrating a portion of a fishway blockaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the fishway block, takenalong line A-A in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the fishway block shown inFIG. 10, from which a sidewall panel and a fishway size controlmechanism have been removed;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view illustrating the fishway block shown in FIG.13, in particular, illustrating the fishway size control mechanism;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating the fishway block shown in FIG.9, in particular, illustrating the fishway size control mechanism and awater level control mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating the fishway block shown in FIG. 10, thefishway block in the state of being installed; and

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating the fishway block according to a stillfurther embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above objects of the present invention, there isprovided a fishway block comprising a bottom panel, sidewall panelsparallel with each other and standing on respective sides of the bottompanel, and a plurality of dividing panels disposed on the bottom panel,each extending from either of the sidewall panels to the other, andhaving a water-passing hole.

The locations of the water-passing holes of adjacent dividing panels arevaried, and a trail of the locations has a zigzag pattern, in which thesize of the water-passing hole formed near a lower end of the dividingpanel is smaller than the size of the water-passing hole formed near anupper end of the dividing panel, thereby preventing water fromoverflowing. The locations of the water-passing holes form a zigzagpattern when viewed from a vertical direction and from a horizontaldirection.

Each of the dividing panels has an upper end portion which is bent inone direction in order to increase the amount of reservoir water in acompartment formed between adjacent dividing panels in the case that thefishway block is installed on a steeply sloped surface.

The sidewall panels are integrated with the bottom panel into a singlebody, but the dividing panels are prepared separately from the sidewallpanels and the bottom panel.

The dividing panels are assembled by inserting the dividing panels intoguide depressions formed on inner surfaces of the respective sidewallpanels. Alternatively, all of the bottom panel, the sidewall panels, andthe dividing panels can be separately prepared and then assembled, orthey can be integrated into a single body by manufacturing the fishwayblock using a molding cast.

The outermost dividing panels have an insertion depression and aninsertion protrusion, respectively, on respective outer surfaces suchthat adjacent fishway blocks are coupled in an insertion joint manner.The insertion depression and the insertion protrusion preferably have awedge shape, so that penetration holes, the water-passing holes and thesidewall panels are aligned when the insertion depression and theinsertion protrusion are joined.

In order to securely couple the adjacent fishway blocks, the outermostdividing panels disposed at end portions of the sidewall panels haverespective penetration holes, and the adjacent fishway blocks arecoupled by passing a bolt through the penetration holes of the abuttingdividing panels.

Each of the sidewall panels is higher than the dividing panels, so thatwater overflows only along ends of the dividing panels and flows throughthe water-passing holes in the dividing panels but does not overflowover upper ends of the sidewall panels, that is, the water does notdeviate from the watercourse.

A pulling-ring is formed on each of the dividing panels and the sidewallpanels to enable easy lift of the dividing panels and the sidewallpanels, for assembly work, or to lift the assembled fishway block duringinstallation. The pulling-rings may be detachable or nondetachable.

The sidewall panels, each has a bracket with a bolt hole used to fix thefishway block to a sloped surface of a crossbar using an anchor in asimple manner.

The fishway block can be connected to a pipe having a water dischargingcapacity sufficient to ensure that water does not overflow over theupper end of the dividing panel while the water-passing hole of theforemost dividing panel is submerged in water.

The fishway block further includes a fishway size control mechanismdisposed on the dividing panel for adjusting the size of a fishway whichis the passage through which fish migrate upstream and downstream, inparticular the size of the water-passing hole of the dividing panel. Thefishway size control mechanism comprises a guide formed around thewater-passing hole, a water gate that moves up and down along the guide,thereby being capable of completely closing or partially or fullyopening the water-passing hole, a vertical standing member extendingupward from the upper end of the water gate and having threads on theouter surface thereof, and a pair of bevel gears installed on the upperend portion of the dividing panel.

The fishway block further includes a water level control mechanism foradjusting the size of a watercourse groove formed at an upper endportion of the dividing panel. The water level control mechanismcomprises a guide formed around the watercourse groove formed at anupper end portion of the dividing panel, a water gate installed to bemoved up and down to adjust the height of the bottom of the watercoursegroove, a standing member extending upward from an upper end portion ofthe water gate and having threads on the outer surface thereof, and apair of bevel gears installed on an upper end portion of the dividingpanel.

The dividing panel having both a water-passing hole and a watercoursegroove formed on the vertical straight line can include both the waterlevel control mechanism and the fishway size control mechanism. Thefishway block includes two water gates, the sizes of the water-passinghole and the watercourse groove of which are adjustable, two standingmembers extending upward from respective upper ends of the respectivegates and having threads on the outer surface thereof, and a pair ofbevel gears for separately controlling the two water gates.

The fishway block further includes a deceleration motor connected to theshaft of a bevel gear, thereby rotating the bevel gear forward andreverse.

The fishway block further includes a water flow speed reduction memberdisposed in front of the foremost dividing panel or in a compartmentbetween adjacent dividing panels, for primarily reducing the speed ofwater flowing toward the dividing panel.

The water flow speed reduction member has a stepped shape and isdisposed to face the direction of water flow.

The fishway block further includes a sheet heater on surfaces of thesidewall panels, the dividing panels and the water flow speed reductionmembers in order to prevent freezing rupture in winter or in frigidzones. The sheet heater is prepared by mixing ultra-fine carbon fiber,protoplasm pulp and high purity synthetic ceramic powder, processing themixture into an insulation coating paper 1 mm thickness or less andproviding a pair of electrodes to the insulation coating paper.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fishway block according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 2 illustrates the fishway blocks shown in FIG.1, in which the fishway blocks are united to lengthen a watercourse inthe fishway block, FIG. 3 illustrates the fishway blocks shown in FIG.2, from which sidewall panels of the fishway blocks are eliminated, andFIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of the fishway block, taken along theline passing through the center of a water-passing hole.

As illustrated in above drawings, the fishway block 10 comprises thebottom panel 13, sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b disposed at both sides ofthe bottom panel 13, and a plurality of dividing panels 15 a, 15 b, and15 c installed between the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b to cross thebottom 13. The dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c have respectivewater-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c.

Among the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c, the outermost dividingpanels 15 a and 15 c disposed at respective ends of the sidewall panels14 a and 14 b are integrated with the bottom panel 13 into a singlebody. The sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b are closely coupled to sides ofthe dividing panels 15 a and 15 c and the bottom panel 13 by a couplingmember 17.

The dividing panel 15 b is disposed between the dividing panels 15 a and15 c. That is, the dividing panel 15 b is disposed in the middle portionof the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b, not at the end portions of thesidewall panels 14 a and 14 b. The dividing panel 15 b is coupled to thesidewall panels 14 and 14 b in a sliding manner. That is, both side endsof the dividing panel 15 b are inserted into respective insertion guidesformed on respective inner surfaces of the sidewalls 14 a and 14 b, andthen the side ends of the dividing panel 15 b are fixed in therespective guides 18. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the guides 18 areprotrusions formed on inner surfaces of the sidewall panels 14 a and 14b, but the guides 18 can be depressions.

The bottom panel 13, the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b, and the dividingpanels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are selectively separately prepared but allelements of the bottom panel, the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b and thedividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are separately prepared. In order toassemble the fishway block, in the first step, the bottom panel 13 isdisposed on the base surface. Next, the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 bare erected on both sides of the bottom panel 13, and the dividingpanels 15 a and 15 c are coupled to respective ends of the sidewallpanels 14 and 14 b by the coupling means 17.

Some or all of the elements of the fishway block can be separatelyprepared, and then all of the elements can be assembled to form thefishway block. Alternatively, all of the elements of the fishway blockcan be integrated into a single body by manufacturing the fishway blockthrough a molding method using a mold having a shape corresponding tothe entire fishway block.

The water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the dividing panels 15 a,15 b and 15 c are disposed to form a zigzag pattern. That is, thelocations and sizes of the water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c ofthe adjacent dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 16 c are different. Thelocations of the water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c are differentwhen viewed both from a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

For example, the sizes of the water-passing holes 16 a and 16 c of thedividing panels 15 a and 15 c disposed at the end portions of thesidewall panels 14 a and 14 b are larger than the size of thewater-passing hole 16 b of the middle dividing panel 15 b. Thewater-passing holes 16 a and 16 c of the dividing panels 15 a and 15 care formed near upper ends of the respective dividing panels 15 a and 15c, but the water-passing hole 16 b is formed near the lower end of thedividing panel 15 b.

Each of the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c has a pulling-ring 19which is detachable. The pulling-ring 19 is used to lift up and move thedividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c using a rope 30 and a crane 31 whenassembling and disassembling the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c.Each of the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b and the bottom panel 13 mayalso have a pulling-ring 19. The pulling-rings 19 can be detachablyinstalled or undetachably fixed to the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15c, the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b and the bottom panel 13.

The outermost dividing panels 15 a and 15 c of the sidewall panels 14 aand 14 b have a depression 21 and a protrusion 22, respectively, on theouter surfaces thereof so that a plurality of fishway blocks can becoupled in series in such a manner that the protrusion 22 of thedividing panel 15 c of a first fishway block is inserted into thecorresponding depression 21 of the dividing panel 15 c of a secondfishway block. The outermost dividing panels 15 a and 15 c haverespective penetration holes 23, so that the fishway blocks are securelyunited by passing a coupling means 24 through the penetration holes 23of the dividing panels 15 a and 15 c.

The depression 21 and the protrusion 22 are wedge-shaped, so that thepenetration holes 23, the water-passing holes 16 a and 16 c and thesidewall panels 14 a and 14 b are aligned when the depression 21 and theprotrusion 22 are joined.

Hereinafter, the method of installing the above described fishway blockwill be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, a pipe 26 is installed beneath a crossbar 25 lowerthan the lowest level of reservoir water, and one or more fishway blocks10 are coupled to one end portion of the pipe 26 on the downstream sideof the crossbar 25. In this instance, foundation work for installationof the fishway blocks 10 is performed on the sloped surface of thecrossbar on the downstream side. However, in the case that the crossbaris made of concrete, additional foundation work is not necessary.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, a rope 30 is inserted through thepulling-rings 19 of the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c and the ropeis pulled by a crane 31 to lift up the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15c, in order to install the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c on thesloped surface of the downstream side of the crossbar 25. In thisinstance, two or more fishway blocks 10 are connected in series suchthat the direction of water flow is the same as the length direction ofthe fishway blocks 10.

A number of the fishway blocks 10 can be carried to the site and piledup on a stacking area. Since the fishway blocks 10 are heavy, it isdifficult to carry the fishway blocks 10 using human force. Accordingly,the fishway blocks 10 are carried by heavy equipment such as a cranefrom the stack field to an installation site, and then installed.

The fishway blocks 10 assembled in the manner described above arecoupled to one another in such a manner that the depression 21 of eitherof the dividing panel 15 a and 15 c disposed at the end portions of thesidewall panels 14 a and 14 b in a first fishway block 10 engages withthe protrusion 22 of the other one of the dividing panels 15 a and 15 cin a second fishway block 20. When the protrusion 22 of the dividingpanel 15 c is inserted into the depression 21 of the dividing panel 15a, the water-passing holes 16 a and 16 c and the penetration hole 23 arealigned in a straight line.

After the fishway blocks 10 are joined, a bolt 24 serving as thecoupling means is inserted to pass through the penetration holes 23 ofthe dividing panels 15 a and 15 c to maintain the tight coupling of thefishway blocks 10, so that the fishway blocks 10 are united like asingle body. If more secure coupling is needed, an anchor can also beprovided at a lower end portion of the bottom panel 13 or the sidewallpanels 14 a and 14 b of the fishway blocks 10.

After installation of the fishway blocks 10, the pipe 26 installed lowerthan the lowest level of the reservoir water is opened to allow water toflow downstream through the pipe 26. At this time, the water dischargecapacity of the pipe 26 is the same as or less than the water dischargecapacity of the water-passing holes 16 a and 16 c. The water dischargecapacity of the pipe 26 is controlled such that water discharged fromthe pipe 26 can overflow over the upper end of the dividing panel 15 a.

After installation of the fishway blocks 10, if water flows from theupstream side to the downstream side of the crossbar 25 through the pipe26, the water is stored in compartments formed between the adjacentdividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c. As a result, water flows throughthe water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c at low speed. Accordingly,fish on the downstream side can migrate upstream along the slopedwatercourse due to the fishway block 10.

In particular, even fish having poor swimming ability can migratedownstream and upstream through the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 cof the fishway block 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fishway block 10 is installed on the slopedsurface of the crossbar 25, and the height and horizontal locations ofthe water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the respective dividingpanels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c are different from one another. That is, thewater-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c are disposed in a zigzagpattern. The location and size of the water-passing hole 16 b in themiddle dividing panel 15 b is lower and smaller than the otherwater-passing holes 16 a and 16 c, but the location and size of thewater-passing hole 16 c of the dividing panel 15 c disposed to therearward side of the middle dividing panel 15 b are higher and largerthan that of the water-passing hole 16 b of the dividing panel 15 b.That is, the water-passing holes 16 b and 16 c form a step.

Accordingly, water discharged from the pipe 26 can flow downstreamthrough only the water-passing hole 16 b of the dividing panel 15 b inthe state that the water-passing hole 16 a of the dividing panel 15 a issubmerged in water. That is, water flowing downstream through thewater-passing hole 15 b is temporarily blocked by the dividing panel 15b, forming back flow, thereby being temporarily stored, and then flowsdownstream through the water-passing hole 16 b of the dividing panel 15b.

The water-passing hole 16 b is disposed at a location higher than thewater-passing hole 16 c. Accordingly, if the water flowing out of thewater-passing hole 16 b is stored in a compartment between the dividingpanels 15 b and 15 c, the water-passing hole 16 b is submerged in water,so that the flow of the water is slowed down. Water pressure isgenerated corresponding to the difference in a water level of the waterstored in the compartment between the dividing panels 15 a and 15 b andthe water level in the water stored in the downstream side compartmentbetween the dividing panels 15 b and 15 c. The water pressure affectsthe speed of water flow. Accordingly, as the water pressure decreases,the flow of the water slows down.

Accordingly, since a small amount of water flows through thewater-passing hole 16 b in the dividing panel 15 b, as much water isstored in the upstream side compartment between the dividing panels 15 aand 15 b as much is reservoired in the downstream side compartmentbetween the dividing panels 15 b and 15 c. At this time, since morewater flows through the upstream side water-passing hole 16 a thanthrough the downstream side water-passing hole 16 b, the water level inthe compartment between the dividing panels 15 b and 15 c increases dueto the excessive amount of water, resulting in overflow water over thedividing panel 15 b, thereby the overflowing water is introduced intothe compartment between the dividing panels 15 b and 15 c.

According to the operation principle described above, since the water isstored and stagnates in the compartments between the dividing panels 15a, 15 b and 15 c, and the speed of the water flowing through thewater-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c is remarkably lowered, even fishhaving poor swimming ability can migrate upstream and downstream throughthe crossbar 15, passing through the water-passing holes 16 a, 16 b and16 c.

In the above description, the fishway blocks 10 are realized as acomplete product. However, the fishway block 10 can be realized asseparate elements including the bottom panel 14, the sidewall panels 14a and 14 b, and the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c. The elements ofthe fishway block 10 are separately carried to the installation site,and are assembled and installed onsite using a crane. Since the fishwayblock 10 is prepared in the state of being divided into the bottom panel14, the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b, and the dividing panels 15 a, 15b and 15 c, the weight of the fishway block 10 is also divided, and itis easier to load, carry, and unload the fishway block 10 in comparisonwith the case of dealing with the whole fishway block 10.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate a fishway block according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, side ends ofthe dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c and the sidewall panels 14 a and14 b have a vertical profile regardless of the angle of the slopedsurface on which the fishway block 10 is to be installed. Referring toFIG. 8, the upper end of each of the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 cis bent in one direction, thereby having a protrusion 28 structured toprotrude upstream in order to maximize the water level of the reservoirwater in the compartment provided between the dividing panels 15 a, 15 band 15 c when the fishway block 10 is installed on the steeply slopedsurface.

According to the other embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, even ifthe crossbar on which the fishway block is installed has a steep slope,the amount of water stored in compartments provided between adjacentdividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c is maximized due to the verticallydisposed dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c and the protrusions 28provided on the upper ends of the respective dividing panels 15 a, 15 band 15 c. Thanks to this structure, the operational effects andadvantages of the fishway block 10 are enhanced.

FIG. 9 illustrates a fishway block according to a further embodiment ofthe present invention. According to this embodiment, the fishway block10 is longer one than the fishway blocks 10 according to the abovedescribed embodiments, and there are three middle dividing panels 15 bbetween the outermost dividing panels 15 a and 15 c. Water-passing holes16 b in the three middle dividing panels 15 b form a zigzag pattern inthe same way as the zigzag pattern is formed by the water-passing holes16 a, 16 b and 16 c of the dividing panels 15 a, 15 b and 15 c of thefishway block shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Each of the sidewall panelshas a bracket 33 having a bolt hole 34 at its lower end portion so thatthe sidewall panels can be fixed to the sloped surface of the crossbarusing an anchor bolt.

According to the further embodiment, the length of the fishway block canbe adjusted according to the size of the installation site of thefishway block, and the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b can be easilysecured to the sloped surface of the crossbar by the anchor bolt throughthe bolt hole 34 of the bracket 33 provided to a lower end portion ofeach of the sidewall panels 14 a and 14 b.

FIGS. 11 to 16 illustrate a fishway block 100 according to a stillfurther embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 11 to16, the fishway block 100 comprises a bottom panel 130, sidewall panels141 and 142 provided at side ends of the bottom panel 130, and aplurality of dividing panels 151, 152, 153 and 154 disposed on thebottom panel 130, extending from either side wall panel 141 toward theother sidewall panel 142 and parallel with to one another. The dividingpanels 151, 152, 153 and 154 include respective sub-dividing panels 251,252, 253 and 254, and water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 areformed on the respective sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254 toallow fish to migrate therethrough. The sidewall panels 141 and 142, incontact with side ends of the sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254and the dividing panels 151, 152, 153 and 154, have guide protrusions143 and 144. The guide protrusions 143 must be structured to be airtightwhen the sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254 are inserted betweenthe guide protrusions 143 and 144, so that water does not leak throughthe gap that is usually formed between the guide protrusions 143 and 144and the sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254.

The sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254 have respective fishwaycontrol mechanisms for controlling the size of fishways, for examplesthe sizes of the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164. Each of thefishway control mechanisms comprises a first guide 261 disposed aroundthe corresponding water-passing hole 161, 162, 163 or 164, a first watergate 262 installed to move up and down along the first guide 261,thereby completely closing or partially or fully opening thecorresponding water-passing hole 161, 162, 163 or 164, a verticallystanding member 263 extending upward from the first water gate 262 andhaving screw threads on the outer surface thereof, and a pair of bevelgears 264 installed on an upper end portion of the sub-dividing panels251 and 253 for elevating the vertically standing member 263 up anddown.

The sub-dividing panel 251 is made of concrete like the bottom panel130, the sidewall panels 141 and 142 and the dividing panels 151, 152,153 and 154, or is made of an anti-corrosion treated metal. The firstwater gate 262 is made of a metal plate which is anti-corrosion treatedand is structured so as to protrude from the corresponding sub-dividingpanel 251, 252, 253 or 254 as little as possible.

In order to lift the first water gate 262 up and down, a handleinstalled on the first bevel gear 264 is rotated forwards or backwards.As the first water gate 262 moves up and down, the opening degree of thewater-passing holes 161 and 163 is adjusted. Further, the first watergate 262 can be connected to a deceleration motor (not shown) that canrotate forward and reverse. If the deceleration motor is connected to ashaft of the bevel gear 264, the elevation of the water gate is easilycontrolled.

The sub-dividing panels 252 and 254 having the water-passing holes 162and 164 formed near respective lower ends of the sub-dividing panels 252and 254 have respective watercourse grooves 255 and 256 having apredetermined depth and extending from upper ends to a predetermineddepth. The sub-dividing panels 252 and 254 have respective water levelcontrol mechanisms for controlling the depth of the water course grooves255 and 256. Accordingly, the sub-dividing panels 252 and 254, havingthe respective water level control mechanisms, and the sub-dividingpanels 252 and 254, having both the respective water-passing holes 162and 164, and the respective water course grooves 255 and 256, have bothof the water level control mechanism and the fishway size controlmechanism.

The fishway block 100 further includes a second guide 271 disposedaround the water course grooves 255 and 256 formed at upper end portionsof the dividing panels 252 and 254, a second water gate 272 installed tomove in the vertical direction along the second guide 271 and installedto completely close or partially or fully open the water-passing holes162 and 164, a third water gate 273 for controlling the height of thebottom of the watercourse grooves 255 and 256, second and thirdvertically standing members 274 and 275 extending upward from the secondand third water gates 272 and 273, respectively, and having screwthreads on the outer surfaces thereof, and a pair of bevel gearsincluding a second bevel gear 276 and a third bevel gear 277, installedon upper ends of the dividing panels 252 and 254 for elevating thesecond and third vertically standing members 274 and 275 up and down, inthe case that the sub-dividing panels 252 and 254 have respective waterlevel control mechanisms and respective fishway size control mechanisms.

The fishway block 100 includes a water flow speed reduction member 300disposed in front of the foremost dividing panel 151 or in a compartmentbetween the adjacent dividing panels 151 and 152, 152 and 153, or 153and 154. The water flow speed reduction member 300 can slow down theflow of water introduced into the dividing panels 151, 152, 153 and 154in the first place, and the water flow speed reduction member 300 ispreferably structured to be step-shaped, and is disposed against thewater running direction.

According to the further embodiment of the present invention, referringto FIG. 16, the water upstream of the crossbar is primarily slowed downby colliding with the water flow speed reduction member installed infront of the foremost dividing panel 151, and then the water-passinghole 161 in the dividing panel 151 is submerged in water. After thewater-passing hole 161 is submerged in water, the water flows downstreamonly through the water-passing hole 161 into a compartment between thedividing panels 151 and 152. The water flowing toward the dividing panel152 collides with the water flow speed reduction member 302, temporarilyflows backward, and then is stored in the compartment between thedividing panels 151 and 152, so that the water speed is rapidly reducedand the water flows through the water-passing hole 152 of the dividingpanel 152 toward the dividing panel 153.

In this instance, since the water-passing hole 163 is disposed at aposition being higher than the upper end portion of the dividing panel152 or the water-passing hole 162, as the water flows toward thedividing panel 153 through the water-passing hole 162 and the water isstored in a compartment between the dividing panels 152 and 153, thewater-passing hole 162 is submerged in water after some time lapses,resulting in reduction of the speed of water flow. That is, due to waterpressure corresponding to the difference between levels of water in thecompartment between the dividing panels 151 and 152 and water in thecompartment between the dividing panels 152 and 153, the flow of waterpassing through the water-passing hole 162 slows down. In this instance,since the amount of water introduced into the compartment between thedividing panels 151 and 152 through the water-passing hole 161 of thedividing panel 151 is greater than the amount of water flowing out ofthe compartment through the water-passing hole 162 of the dividing panel152, the difference between the amounts of water increases the waterlevel in the compartment provided between the dividing panels 152 and153.

In this instance, if the amount of water introduced into the compartmentbetween the dividing panels 151 and 152, and the compartment between thedividing panels 152 and 253 is too small, the water-passing holes 162and 163 cannot be submerged in water, so that a fishway is not formed.In this instance, the fishway size control mechanism and the water levelcontrol mechanism installed on the sub-dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and254 are controlled such that a large amount of water is stored in thecompartments between adjacent dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254 sothat the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 are completelysubmerged in water, and as small amount of water as possible flowsthrough the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164.

The operation of the fishway size control mechanism will be describedbelow.

First, the first and second bevel gears 264 and 276 installed on upperportions of the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 are rotated,so that the first and second vertically standing members 263 and 274 ofthe first and second water gates 262 and 267 move up and down, adjustingthe size of the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164. As describedabove, since the amount of water being introduced into the fishway blockis small, the first and second water gates 262 and 274 stepwisely closethe water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 such that the sizes of thewater-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 of the dividing panels 251,252, 253 and 254 are relatively decreased.

That is, since the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 arepartially closed and the amount of water flowing downstream is small,the water is stored in the compartments formed between adjacent dividingpanels 151 and 152, 152 and 153, and 153 and 154. As a result, thewater-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 are completely immersed inwater. In this instance, even if the water gathers in the compartmentbetween the dividing panels 152 and 153, there is the possibility thatthe water-passing hole 161 of the dividing panel 151 is not completelyunder in water. Accordingly, the heights of the bottoms of thewatercourse grooves 255 and 256 of the dividing panels 252 and 254 arecontrolled by using the water level control mechanisms such that thewater-passing hole 161 of the dividing panel 151 is completely submergedin water.

The operation of the water level control mechanism is similar to theoperation of the fishway size control mechanism except that the heightsof the bottoms of the water course grooves 255 and 256 are adjusted bymoving the third water gate 273 up and down, instead of moving the firstand second water gates.

As described above, it is possible to submerge the water-passing holes161 and 163 of the dividing panels 251 and 253 in water by adjusting thesizes of the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164 of the dividingpanels 251, 252, 253 and 254 and the sizes of the watercourse grooves255 and 256, thereby being capable of submerging all the water-passingholes 161, 162, 163 and 164 of the dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254in water.

Accordingly, since the amount of water flowing out of the compartmentbetween the dividing panels 251 and 252 through the water-passing hole162 of the dividing panel 252 is smaller than the amount of waterintroduced into the compartment between the dividing panels 251 and 252through the water-passing hole 161 of the dividing panel 251, the sameamount of water gathers in the compartment between the dividing panels152 and 153 as the amount of water gathered in the compartment betweenthe dividing panels 253 and 254. Further, since the amount of waterflowing through the water-passing hole 161 of the dividing panel 251 islarger than the amount of water flowing through the water-passing hole162 of the dividing panel 252, the difference between the amounts ofwater increases the water level in the compartment between the dividingpanels 151 and 152, thereby the water stored in the compartmentultimately overflows over the dividing panel 152 through the watercoursegroove 255 formed at an upper end portion of the dividing panel 252 andis introduced into the compartment between the dividing panels 152 and153.

Thanks to the above described operating principle of the fishway block,since water is gathered and stored in the compartments formed betweenthe respective adjacent dividing panels 151 and 152, 152 and 153, and153 and 154, the flow of the water in the water-passing holes 161, 162,163 and 154 of the respective dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254greatly slows down. Accordingly, even fish having poor swimming abilitycan migrate upstream and downstream through the fishway block, inparticular through the water-passing holes 161, 162, 163 and 164.

FIG. 17 illustrates a fishway block according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 17, a sheet heater partially orcompletely covers the water flow speed reduction members 301, 302, 303and 304, the dividing panels 251, 252, 253 and 254, and the sidewallpanels 141 and 142, in order to prevent freezing rupture of the fishwayblock, which can be caused when water freezes during winter or in frigidzones. The heater is preferably a carbon fiber heater manufactured insuch a manner that ultra-fine carbon fiber, protoplasm pulp, and highlypure compound ceramic power are mixed, the mixture is processed into aspecial sheet 1 mm thick or less using directional disperse technology,and a pair of electrodes is formed on the sheet and coated with aninsulating material.

Thanks to the heater, water does not freeze in the fishway block whilecold weather persists during the winter or in frigid zones, so that thefishway block does not rupture in freezing weather.

As described above, the sizes of water-passing holes in the dividingpanels, and the heights of the bottoms of the watercourse grooves formedon upper ends of the dividing panels are adjusted such that the flow ofwater is adequately slowed down. Further, the distance between thedividing panels can be also adjusted such that the flow of water isadequately slowed down. Still further, the height of the water flowspeed reduction member disposed between the dividing panels can beadjusted in order to slow down the flow of water.

In the above description, the fishway block is installed on the slopedsurface of the downstream side of the crossbar. However, even if thefishway block is installed on the side of a brook and a valley having aflat bottom and fast water flow, the same operation and effects can beachieved.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claim.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the fishway block according to the present invention, a fishwaycourse of the fishway block can be lengthened and the flow of watertherein can be slowed down.

Accordingly, the fishway block can allow fish to easily migrate upstreamand downstream when the fishway block is installed on a cross structuresuch as a dam or a crossbar in a river or a watercourse having fastwater flow and a steeply sloped bottom.

1. A fishway block comprising: a bottom panel; sidewall panels installedparallel to each other on respective sides of the bottom panel; and oneor more dividing panels installed to extend from either sidewall panelto the other sidewall panel, on the bottom panel, each dividing panelhaving a water-passing hole.
 2. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1,wherein locations of the water-passing holes in the respective dividingpanels form a zigzag pattern and a size of the water-passing hole formednear a lower end of the corresponding dividing panel is smaller thanthat of the water-passing hole near an upper end of the correspondingdividing panel, in order to slow down flow of water introduced intocompartments formed between respective adjacent dividing panels.
 3. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locations of thewater-passing holes form a zigzag pattern in a horizontal direction andin a vertical direction, so that flow of water introduced into thecompartments formed between dividing panels is slowed down and the wateris gathered and reservoired in the compartments formed between thedividing panels.
 4. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, whereinupper ends of the sidewalls are higher than upper ends of the dividingpanels, so that water overflowing over the upper ends of the dividingpanels is prevented from flowing out of the fishway block over thesidewalls, and fish do not deviate from a watercourse.
 5. The fishwayblock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dividing panels haveprotrusions at respective upper ends, so that an amount of water thatcan be stored in the compartments formed between the dividing panels isincreased when the fishway block is installed on a sloped surface. 6.The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the outermostdividing panels has an insertion depression and another of the outermostdividing panels has a protrusion which can be inserted into theinsertion depression.
 7. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1,wherein the outermost dividing panels have respective penetration holes,so that adjacent fishway blocks can be coupled by a coupling means whichpasses through the penetration holes.
 8. The fishway block as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the sidewall panels have respective brackets havingrespective bolt holes by which the sidewall panels can be securely fixedto a sloped surface of a crossbar using respective anchors.
 9. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein all or some of the bottompanel, the sidewall panels, and the dividing panels are separatelyprepared.
 10. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1 or 9, wherein atleast the dividing panels are separately prepared and the sidewallpanels have respective sliding guides on respective inner surfaces suchthat the dividing panels can be installed by being inserted in thesliding guides.
 11. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedividing panels and the sidewall panels have respective pulling ringswhich are installed in a detachable manner or an integrated manner. 12.The fishway block as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dividing panels andthe sidewall panels are coupled and fixed by a coupling means.
 13. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein sides of the dividingpanels and the sidewall panels are perpendicular to a horizontaldirection regardless of an angle of a sloped installation surface of thefishway block.
 14. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, whereinfishway size control mechanisms are provided to the dividing panels inorder to adjust the sizes of the water-passing holes, each being apassage through which fish can migrate upstream and downstream.
 15. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fishway size controlmechanism comprises: a guide formed on the surface of the dividing panelnear the water-passing hole in a vertical direction, the guide includingtwo bars parallel to each other, a water gate installed to be able tomove up and down along the guide, thereby being capable of completelyclosing and partially or fully opening the water-passing hole, avertical standing member having screw threads on the outer surfacethereof and extending upward from an upper end of the water gate; and apair of bevel gears installed at an upper end of the dividing panel inorder to elevate the standing member up and down.
 16. The fishway blockas claimed in claim 1, wherein the dividing panels have respectivewatercourse grooves having a predetermined depth at respective upperends thereof and have respective water level control mechanisms.
 17. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the water levelcontrol mechanisms comprises: a guide formed on the surface of thedividing panel at both sides of the watercourse groove, in which twobars of the guide are parallel to each other; a water gate installed tomove up and down along the guide in order to adjust a height of thebottom of the watercourse groove, a standing member extending upwardfrom an upper end of the water gate and having screw threads on theouter surface thereof, and a pair of bevel gears installed on an upperend portion of the dividing panel for elevating the vertical standingmember up and down.
 18. The fishway block as claimed in claim 14 or 16,wherein the dividing panel has both the fishway size control mechanismand the water level control mechanism, and the water-passing hole andthe watercourse groove are formed on the same vertical straight line inthe dividing panel, and the fishway block includes: two water gates foradjusting the sizes of the water-passing hole and the watercoursegroove, respectively; two vertical standing members extending upwardfrom upper ends of the respective water gates; and a pair of bevel gearsthat can separately elevate the two vertical standing members.
 19. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 14 or 16, further including adeceleration motor connected to a shaft of a bevel gear as toautomatically rotate the bevel gear in forward and reverse directions.20. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of thedividing panel near the water-passing hole is realized in a sub-dividingpanel which can be detachably installed in the dividing panel.
 21. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sub-dividing panel ismade of concrete, like the bottom panel, the sidewall panels and thedividing panels, or is made of anti-corrosion treated metal.
 22. Thefishway block as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a water flowspeed reduction member disposed in front of the foremost dividing panelor in a compartment formed between adjacent dividing panels forprimarily slowing down the speed of water flow.
 23. The fishway block asclaimed in claim 22, wherein the water flow speed reduction member has astepped shape which faces a direction of water flow.
 24. The fishwayblock as claimed in claim 1 or claim 22, further comprising a heater onthe surfaces of the sidewall panels, the dividing panels and the waterflow speed reduction member for preventing water from freezing in winteror in frigid zones.
 25. The fishway block as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe fishway block is connected to a pipe having a water dischargingcapacity equal to that of the water-passing hole of the foremostdividing panel disposed on a downstream side of an installation place,the water-passing hole being submerged in water, so that water does notoverflow over the upper end thereof when the fishway block is installed.